Joan Collins demands Sadiq Khan tackles unruly cyclists after she was almost knocked down

Dame Joan Collins has called on Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to tackle unruly cyclists after she was almost knocked down on her way to a glitzy dinner with friends.

The 89-year-old was heading to Rules Restaurant in Covent Garden, central London, with guests including Christopher Biggins, Mamma Mia creator Judy Craymer and her husband Percy when the incident is said to have taken place.

The actress and original Dynasty star made it to the restaurant but was clearly shaken up after a cyclist ‘with no lights’ allegedly crashed into her. 

She wrote on her Instagram page: ‘Getting out of a black cab on the way to @rules_restaurant, we discovered Maiden Lane was closed to all traffic.

‘However, that didn’t stop a masked cyclist with no lights and weaving on the pavement from crashing into me, almost knocking me over.’

Dame Joan despaired as she asked: ‘How much longer must we live with closed roads and cyclists who consider themselves above the law?

‘Why don’t you do something @mayorofldn @sadig before this beautiful city of London is ruined?’

Rule 64 of the Highway Code states that ‘you must not cycle on a pavement’, while rule 60 says: ‘At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit… It must also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85).’ 

Many followers appeared to agree with Dame Joan, with one commenting: ‘Cyclists breaking pedestrian rules are a real problem.’

Another added: ‘Cyclists need license plates!’, while a third said: ‘Terrible times Dame Joan… Hope you are fine!’

A fourth said: ‘Why do cyclists prefer the pavement? If you are too scared to use the road, don’t cycle! Fed up of pedestrians being bottom of the list permanently!’

It comes after dozens of reckless cyclists were caught brazenly ignoring pedestrians using a London zebra crossing this month. 

Footage showed a string of selfish bikers and e-scooter riders speeding past people trying to walk across a crossing in Farringdon Street — with some cyclists even swerving around pedestrians.

Rule 81 of the Highway Code states: ‘Do not ride across a pelican, puffin or zebra crossing. Dismount and wheel your cycle across.’ 

Blindness campaigners slammed the cyclists, as the National Federation of the Blind UK’s Sarah Gayton told MailOnline the time had come for the government to take real action to stop blind road users being discriminated against. 

The street access campaign coordinator said: ‘We are absolutely sick to death of being ignored. Our voices are never heard.

‘The cyclists have to learn to stop and wait. Something is fundamentally wrong. 

‘We are not saying don’t cycle, we are just saying we need a system that is safe and accessible.’

She added: ‘The cyclists just will not stop. We are not against cycling. Cyclists can be safe but they have to learn. 

‘People are being discriminated against. We don’t believe the government is taking it seriously.’

Although cycling has boomed since the pandemic, there has been a wave of bitter disputes between riders, pedestrians and motorists.

The video also highlights the dangers of floating bus stops, where bus passengers have to cross a cycle lane to a bus island to catch the bus.

Floating bus stops were introduced across the country as part of travel schemes to accommodate bike lanes. 

In January the NFB handed a petition to the Prime Minister appealing for the government to stop using such bus stops as they are ‘not safe or accessible for blind, visually impaired and many vulnerable groups of bus passengers, as they create a barrier to accessing public transport independently’.

The petition set up by the NFB has been signed by 163 blindness and visual impairment organisations. 

The NFB added: ‘Many people are also now using e-bikes, e-scooters and other e-devices which are too fast and add further danger at the bus stops.’

People took to cycling at a massive rate during the pandemic. 

The number of miles travelled by cyclists rose by 46.1 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019, and 15.7 per cent in 2021 in relation to the same year. 

Meanwhile, the number of cycle lanes in London alone rocketed during Covid as councils jumped on the bandwagon to cut down on car use. 

In 2021 Sadiq Khan’s cycling tsar Will Norman revealed 62 miles of cycle lanes were built across London in just 12 months.

The walking and cycling commissioner’s admission came despite a court ruling the schemes were unlawful. 

Critics say the measures have also blocked emergency response vehicles and caused problems for local businesses in towns and cities across the UK.

There have also been suggestions making space for cars more narrow increases congestion while many cycle lanes are empty. 

In January, the High Court ruled that guidance issued by the Mayor to promote the expansion of schemes was ‘irrational’ and unlawful because it failed to safeguard road access for taxis and disabled people.

The judge said authorities ‘took advantage of the pandemic’ to turn parts of London into car-free zones.

Justice Lang ruled London’s ‘Streetspace’ scheme was ‘seriously flawed’ and ‘took advantage of the pandemic’ to push through ‘radical’ and permanent road changes.

The judgment followed a legal challenge by organisations representing black cab drivers who were angry about being banned from a new bus-only route on the A10.

Meanwhile, an investigation found town halls squandered nearly £1million after being forced to scrap expensive and controversial road schemes brought in during the pandemic. 

At least 138 schemes have been completed, with 13 scrapped and 25 altered after backlash from residents and the emergency services. 

There is also a growing belief among ministers that riders should abide by the same speed restrictions and other road rules as motorists.

Then Transport Secretary Grant Shapps previously told the Mail: ‘Somewhere where cyclists are actually not breaking the law is when they speed, and that cannot be right, so I absolutely propose extending speed limit restrictions to cyclists. 

‘I don’t want to stop people from getting on their bike, it’s a fantastic way to travel, and we’ve seen a big explosion of cycling during Covid and since. 

‘But I see no reason why cyclists should break the road laws and be able to get away with it.’

Cyclists currently face less severe penalties for reckless riding than motorists.

While pedestrians hit by cars can make sizeable claims that are paid out by the motorist’s insurer, this is not possible for victims of reckless cyclists and riders cannot be sued if they have little wealth.

Additionally, a legal loophole means killer cyclists can be jailed for a maximum of two years, while motorists can be jailed for life. 

Changes to the Highway Code made by the government in January last year mean cyclists have priority over motorists and are even encouraged to ride in the middle of the road on some streets.